(1) The staff of each program expedition must include a field director.

(2) The field director shall be primarily responsible for:

(a) the quality of the field activities;

(b) coordinating field operations;

(c) supervising direct care staff;

(d) managing the field office;

(e) ensuring compliance with applicable licensing rules; and

(f) ensuring that staff members are familiar with all program policies and procedures.

(3) The field director shall meet, at a minimum, the following qualifications:

(a) a bachelors degree in a relevant discipline and a minimum of 30 semester or 45 quarter hours of education in recreational therapy or in a related field, or one year outdoor youth program field experience;

(b) a minimum of 40 24-hour field days of program experience or equivalent experience in outdoor programs documented in the individual's personnel file;

(c) be capable of preparing reports required by this subchapter, documenting interactions of youth and staff, and ensuring compliance with applicable licensing rules;

(d) hold a first response license or equivalent and have additional wilderness first responder training; and

(e) completion of an initial staff training.

(4) If qualified, the administrator may serve as field director.

(5) Each program shall have a senior field staff member working directly with each group of program youths. Each senior field staff member shall meet the following minimum qualifications:

(a) be at least 22 years of age;

(b) have an associate degree or high school diploma with 30 semesters or 45 quarter hours education and training or comparable experience and training in a field related to recreation and adventure activities;

(c) have six months, or 130 24-hour field days of outdoor youth program field experience or comparable experience serving youth with behavior problems that endanger the youth's health, interpersonal relationships, or educational functioning. Such experience must be documented in the individual's personnel file;

(d) hold a wilderness first responder license or equivalent and have additional wilderness first responder training; and

(e) have completed initial staff training.

(6) Field staff working directly with the youth shall meet, at a minimum, the following qualifications:

(a) be at least 22 years of age;

(b) have a high school diploma or equivalent;

(c) have completed initial staff training; and

(d) be certified in CPR annually and currently certified in first aid.